Phillies, Bastardo come to terms for one-year deal

The Phillies and left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo have agreed on a one-year, $1.4 million contract, assistant GM Scott Proefrock announced Friday. The contract includes award bonuses.

Bastardo had been eligible for salary arbitration. The club has no one left who is arbitration eligible, so there will be no more meetings to worry about on that front, no hearings, nothing. Surely, that's a relief for the front office.

Now maybe Ruben Amaro Jr. and Co. can concentrate on getting a more experienced outfielder, something they really need.

In 65 games for the Phillies last season, Bastardo posted a 2-5 record with one save, a 4.33 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 52.0 innings. He ranked third among all major league relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (14.02), trailing only Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel (16.66) and Cincinnati’s Aroldis Chapman (15.32).

The 27-year-old also held opposing batters to a .207 average (40-193), including a .169 average (14-83) against left-handed hitters. Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in February of 2005, Bastardo is 12-9 with nine saves and a 4.02 ERA in 160 career games.

But the Phillies need to find a way to get Bastardo to pitch like he did during the first half of 2011. He really hasn't been the same pitcher since.